Hyundai’s long-awaited dual-cab ute is on the horizon, and as it edges closer to its Australian debut, fresh details are emerging about the brand’s challenger to established titans like the Kia Tasman, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and the emerging BYD Shark. The automotive landscape is rapidly evolving, with a significant influx of new ute models from China poised to shake up the Australian market.
Recognising the immense significance of this segment, we’ve donned our investigative hats to compile everything currently known about Hyundai’s inaugural ute offering for Australia.
Hyundai’s Ute: A Strategic Power Play
Hyundai is charting a bold course for its new ute, and a key differentiator will be its powertrain. Unlike the forthcoming Kia Tasman and the vast majority of utes currently dominating Australian sales, Hyundai is deliberately steering clear of diesel engines. This strategic decision is a forward-thinking move, anticipating a global shift away from diesel power by the time its ute enters the market.
Don Romano, Hyundai’s new local chief, has previously articulated this vision, stating, “Australia doesn’t need another diesel ute. I think we have to look at options. And I can’t tell you whether that’s a PHEV, a HEV or a BEV, but I think those are options that have to be considered. And I think those are the areas that will give us an opportunity for expansion.”
This departure from tradition is likely influenced by the success of models like the BYD Shark 6, which features a petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain. Hyundai appears to be adopting a distinct, albeit similar, approach, focusing on electrification without relying solely on plug-in capabilities.
The REEV Powertrain: A Glimpse into the Future
It’s increasingly probable, bordering on certain, that Hyundai’s pickup will debut a new REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) powertrain that is nearing its official launch. While specific details remain scarce, the expectation is for an electric-first system augmented by a petrol engine. This internal combustion engine will primarily serve to recharge the battery or directly power the electric motors, offering a compelling blend of efficiency and extended range.
Hyundai has indicated that a total range of 1000 kilometres is achievable with this technology, which is slated for launch around 2027. Crucially, this system appears to be specifically engineered for the demands of ute usage.
Manfred Harrer, Head of the Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group, elaborated on the advantages: “The beauty of EREVs lies in combining EV driving characteristics — instant high torque and serene cabin space — with a longer range. It’s kind of a modern hybrid: You can use it as an EV on a daily basis, but if you have to take a long trip, and you don’t want to carefully plan your route around EV charging stations, it provides seamless driving with the ICE generating electricity for you. This freedom is generating a lot of excitement around the world.”
Harrer further highlighted the EREV’s capabilities beyond mere range: “But there’s more to EREVs than range. There’s also the ample power for towing capacity — the energy to tow something like a horse trailer — which remains an unsolved issue with EVs.”
Platform Ponderings: Tasman or Global Collaboration?
The question of the ute’s underlying platform adds another layer of intrigue. When initial reports of Hyundai’s ute emerged, Mr Romano alluded to the brand’s global partnership with General Motors (GM) and a commitment to co-develop two utes, primarily for South and Central American markets.
While this collaboration remains a possibility, the significant investment poured into the development of the Kia Tasman, and its own electrification preparations, makes it a logical step for Hyundai to leverage the Tasman’s ladder-frame platform for its ute.
“If we used the body-on-frame, that’s the Tasman, made from our factory in Korea, that could be sooner,” Mr Romano has stated. ”We are looking at different drivetrains, and all of that adds time. So it’s going to be step one; Tasman, diesel, ok, change the engine, ok, let’s look at what else we have available from GM, ok, what’s the timing on that?” This suggests a flexible approach to platform utilisation.
On-Road and Off-Road Prowess: Built for Australia
The short answer to whether Hyundai’s ute will be capable both on and off-road is a resounding “yes.” Hyundai’s Australian division is committed to ensuring its ute offering is a robust, ladder-frame solution that is at least partially tailored to local market conditions. This means a ute designed to excel in carrying, towing, and confidently tackling challenging off-road terrain.
Tim Rodgers, Hyundai’s Product Development Manager, emphasised the brand’s dedication to local input: “We’re continually feeding into HQ and other regional offices about what our requirements would be. We’ve been studying for 15-odd years and the proposal continually updates. There’s a huge portfolio of information that HQ has about our market, our market requirements, how we view the market, what would be successful, what would be a differentiated offering, what would be a mainstream offering.”
Launch Timeline: The Countdown is On
The anticipation for Hyundai’s ute is palpable, and the launch window is becoming increasingly defined. What was once a broader 2030 timeframe has now been narrowed down to approximately 2028. Gavin Donaldson, Hyundai Australia’s COO, has confirmed this as the rough timeframe for the ute’s arrival in showrooms.
